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Why did John Dewey favor student interests in planning educational activities?

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Fragment of a Roman fresco showing Socrates seated and draped in a white robe, with Greek text above, on a red background with visible cracks. — Philosophy of education Socrates, Roman fresco, 1st century bce; in the Ephesus Museum, Selçuk, Turkey.

John Dewey favored incorporating student interests into educational planning because he viewed education as a vital tool for fostering a democratic society composed of informed and engaged inquirers.12

By aligning curriculum and activities with the natural interests of students, Dewey sought to make learning a more meaningful and active process. This approach was rooted in his background in child psychology and his pragmatist belief that knowledge should be functional and connected to the learner's lived experience. Through his work at the Laboratory Schools, he demonstrated that when students are actively involved in their own inquiry, they are better prepared to participate in and sustain a democratic community. Ultimately, Dewey believed that prioritizing the learner's engagement was the most effective way to promote human interests and social progress.12